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H^ *^ +^5+)J(+^^^n♦)^H«^e^«(+^e^M^Ki«I♦•*'.:s^M<«^«^*^ 1 1 i OR. THE STEWARD'S SON »«bKH-»«H-JCH^*0>tt>»* «>XH-»4^M«>«>fif4«4»f»Ha-ffl-»" ClIAPTliR XXXll. Ttie Iwo men faced each other, Guild- ford Berton quiveriny wiUi nine intensi- fied by iU inipotoiiec, the niun I-'urloua -culm and coolly wutclilul. Guildfurd Borlim would Imve liked lo spring upon him, but there was somi'- Ihing in the eyes shining from undtr the bushy brows wliich wurnoil hiin that Jit his lirst nioveiiienl its owner woulil without hesitation put a bullet into him. "What are you doing hci-e?" he asked, findin^f his voice al lu.sl. Kurlong smiled (jriiiily, and nodded o the desk. "That's rather an imnecessary qiios- ti«n, isn't it? 1 was Uiokinj,' forâ€" curio- sities, when you came in and interrupted me." "You are an iiiipudoi!l scoundrel! nnd if you think btciuise I iini unarmed you win get off scot-fieo you are mistaken." "Tall talk won't count fur much, see- ing how matters are llxcU between us. Us waste of lime lo threalcn me, Mr. Berton. Come, you're ii sensible man; just face the music and take things ca.sy. Just try and think I'm a friendly visitor dropped in unexpectedly; it's rather late, it's true " "Take yourself off!" "That you may follow me and raise a hullabaloo'?" "If you think I'm going to let you es- â- cape, you are mistaken. Whether you go now, or wait till dayliglil, and are taken here, rc<l-hnMdt'd, will make little <lifferonce; you api-car lo have forgotten that, notwithstanding your cool iinpu- <lenc6, I have got you as surely as it you were already In the hands of the police. I know you; before you can get out of reach the police will have an exact de- scription of you andâ€" I think the tablts •will be turned, my friend.' The man eyed him thoughtfully. "After all. you've got some pluck," he said quietly. "You're a braver man than I took you to be, Mr. Berton. Many u man in my position would lake you al your word, and rfcinembcring that dead men tell no tales, would put it out of ' your power to supply the police with a descriplion," and he glanced meaningly at the revolver. "But 1 don't think we need waste any lime In bullying each other. After all there's not much harm done." "What! I find you here, having broken into my house " "Excuse me. I.et'.s have it right and square. In the first placo y(ju're wrong. I didn't break into your house. 1 found the little gate in that high wall open, and I just stepped In." "And, being In, lost no time in break- ing into my properly. I'm afraid your excuse won't weigh much wilh the judge and jury when yf)u are tried for bur- glary, which you will be. you scoundrel." "i dare say it wouldn't. But I'm not being tried yet. Look here, hiuln't we betkr got comfortaMe? You don't iLsk «io to lake a seat, so I'll hel[) myself, and if you'll talcc my advice you'll follow my example." As he spoke ho dropped into tho arm- chair, and in a Iclsuruly fa.shion took out his pipe and pouch. The n^ler of the collage glanced to- ward the door. .Should he make a ru.sh for it, and endeavor to reacli the garden and raise an alarm'.' He was sorely templed, but he .saw Ihal the revolver was lying within reach of the mans hand, and felt that the glittering eye was watching him in culliko fashion, and Stood still. "May I trouble you for a light?" a.sktd Furlong, blandly. No? Well " He craned forward and lit his pipe at the Unlem. "Now, then, Mr. Berton, I'm ready to hear anything and everything you've got to say. Chin-music is not much in my line, but I'll allow that you tet-l anicious to abuse me, and I don't like disappointing you. Ju.st blow off Uie steam with sonic of Iho hardest words you know." Guildford Berton caught up a chair with a strong impulse to fling it at Ihe man's head, but Instcail he planted it in front of the door and sat down in it. "Itou'll Ond this the worst night's work you ever did, my friend," he said be- tween hts lecth. "I ga\o you a chance â€"a poor one- of escaping just now, and you refused it. Now I tell you that you will not leave this room until the police lake you unless you pus,-; over my dead body." f'"urlong laughed gruiily. "Very nicely put: " jjo said. "Why, my dear sir, I could lift you \ip, chair and all, and pilch you oiit of that window there, and you know il. But I shan't have lo do that, I lliInU- llial is. If you are a sensible hiaii. Now, Mr. Berton, I suppose you lliink Hint we are lo sil hero until some one come.s who can raise an alarm and fetch llie police, und that you will have mo arrested? Just .so. I'm afraid you're going lo be disappointed. First of all, let me t-.xplain miilters.^^Oh, fou needn't snocr; it doesn't give any additional beauty to that handsome face of your."*. I'm going to tell the Irulh, as you'll find if you lislen alleiitivoly. What 1 told you just nou, f.r instance, was the truth. I ffiiind thai door nf yours unloclced, and I couldn't resLst the icniplalion of slnilling In. You see, I've po.s.sed !t so often nnd Inoknl al It so honl. every time askin;;" niy.-ielf why on earth a young gdill' man .should choo.se to live In such a gloomy hole, that my euriusily â€" nnd it's iny \\e;ik point, I'll admit- goi Ihe bettor of nii.'. .So I, slopped it), and v.iiitcd in llie opposite room â€" I followiHl you so clo.sely that if you'd have turned you'd have seen me, by George!â€" and, being in, I amused my- self Willi watching you " Guildford Berton succeeded in suppro-s- slng any oulwartl sign of the start the man's words gave him. "I'd half uii Idea that you wore aâ€" well, a coiner. 1 beg your pardon 1 had, indeed. But couldn't .see any trace of the work aboutâ€" and I know il when 1 .see ilâ€" and .so 1 concliidwl thai you were just a crank, Itiat you'd got a mental Iwlst somewhere that caused you Ui take such a grim, for.snken hole as llii.-!. Then I Ihougid that I'd wail until you'd go lO l)ed and clear out. But I happened lo look in here, and the desk lay handy, and il occurred lo me that 1 might find something in il Ihal might hi^ip me lo understand your peculiar clmiacter." A sneer that was half a scowl crossed Berton's face. "Ah, you don't believe me. I .see," re- marked llie man, appurenlly not at all offended. "Hut. stranuo to say, it's Ihe truth. The fact is, among the many trades I've tried my hand al, I've done a bil of the detective. Thai v.'a.s in New York. I didn't stick lo il long; but that kind of work leaves a mark behind. You can't lose the haliit of trying to .satisfy your curlo.sily. And you raised mine, you did, ind(ted, Mr. Bei'ion." "You impudentâ€" but go on, my friend; your time is going .short," "Not a bit of it. You think you'll have me arreslbtl, but you won't, luid I'll le.ll you why. Becau.se you and 1 are larrtnl with tho same brush. We're both curi- ous men. Of tho two of us, 1 should say you're more curious lliaii I am, but you're too cautious lo follow a man into his own house and examine his desk, eh?" and he laughed. "Now you wonder what I'm driving at. Wail a bil; I'm coming to it. I didn't find much in this old desk of yours to enlighten me ^bout the llllle game you're playing at;*but I did find some- thing Ihal gave me a .start"â€" ho stretched out his hand, and let it fall upon the photograph of Catherine Hayesâ€" "and this is iU" The other glanced at tho phologropli with an incredulous sneer. "No, it is not a plant, and I'm not go- ing to pahn off a pack of lies on you. But I tell you what I'm going lo do. 1 am going to make a bargain with you. Wait, ISeller not cut in yet a while, for il strikes me Ihal when you've heai-d what I've got lo .say you'll be .sorry for culling up rough. Now, Mr. Berton, don'l lliink mo imperlinenl if I a.sk you a qupjition. Is il a fact Ihal you want lo marry Itio boautitul young lady up at Ihe Court there?" Guildford Berton started, and tho color rushed to his face, but ho remained silent. "Silence gives consent. I give you credit for the best of taste. I've .seen a great many of the fair sex in both hemi- spheres, and I say"â€" he struck the table wilh his powerful listâ€" "that that young lady towers above Ihem all as â€" asâ€" a palm towers above a lilac bu.sh! Whv, sir, if 1 were as young and good-looking as you are, I should be as much in love with her as you arc. From all I hear there isn't a young man within Iwenly miles who wouldn't give all he's worth, and ten years of his life to boot to lead her lo the altar." Berton rose, as if unable lo control himselt, but Furlong coolly waved !o htm. ".Sit down, Mr. Berton. I meant no offense. I wouldn't speak a disrespect- ful word of her â€" ay, and what's more, I'd knock down any man that offered lo do so in my presence. Sit down aiwl keep your lemptr. You'll want all your nous prescnlly." There was something, a subtile signi- â-  flcanco. In his tone which carried weight, and Guildford Berton sank into the chair again. "Thai's right. And now alwut this bargain I spoke of. Suppose, Mr. Ber- ton, I po.<se.ss some information which would help you in your suit with that young lady. Suppose I could loll you something, a secret worth iLs weight in gold lo you, something that would make your way straight and plain, and in.sure your getting tlial young lady for your wife â€" what would you say?" and -le lonnfcd forward and looked him siraighl Iwlween the eyes. Berton smiled incredulously. "I should .say. I utterly refuse to be- lieve a word you say," he .said, "nnd if you know mo better, you would kiujw llial 1 am the last man to make terms wilh a riillianly burglar. Tell your stury, whaU^vcr il may be, lo the police; 1 fancy you will Und llioni as incredu- lous as i am." "Good. Y'ou'vo said wlial you ought to sny, and you've said il very well. I give you all credit for yi)ur courage. But I'll give you another chance, and I tell you frankly that if you don't come lo niy lernis I shall, very rclncUanlly, have lo lie you in Ihal chair, and gag you while I gel clear off. t^ome, you're dying lo a.sk me what I inejinl. ,Iusl ask me a few (piestioiis. For inslance, what do I find in Ihe photograph of this Indy to interest ,'ind startle nie so much?" "I .'^hall ask you knowlhing. I want lo liear no more from you." "Then III ask yi.ti a few questions. Fii-st of all. do you know who lliis i.s? I don't a.sk you how you camo by il. I'crhaiJ.s the young lady gave il In you, or you found it, or perhaps you stole it." GuiUlford '^'Tlon's face flamed, but ne swallowed liis rage and answered quiet- ly enough; for Furlong had spoken the truth and he was dying to hear what the man had lo say. "Y'ou don't deserve an answer," he said. "But you'll humor me, eh? Just so. Well?" "It is the portrait of the late Countess of AiTOwdale's companion," said Guild- ford Berlon, slowly, and almost sul- lenly. "And her name was Calherine. It's writtoa here on Ilia card, and her sur- name was Hayes. And when the coun- tess left her husband, the earl, this Catherine Hayes, went with tier?" "Sh« did." "Is she dead?" asked Furlong, very grimly. "The countess? Yes." "This woman, the maid, this Cather- ine?" said Furlong. "Yes. she Is dead, too." "Dear, de.ir!" mullerod Furlong. "Tell me, now, did she live with her mislress till the countess died?" "She did." "And the young lady. Lady Norah, was left in her charge, I suppose?" asked Furlong. "That is .so. Why do you ask? What inl-erest " "I ask because I didn'l know," replied Furlong. "1 know a groat deal, but iiol all." He gazed at the portrait some moments lost in thought, Ihun he got up and laid il on the table. "Como and take a good look at it," he said. Berlon hesitated a moment, half sus- picious that it was a trap lo get him away from his post in front of the door, but Furlong cast a glance of contempt at him. "Man, can't you see I'm in eamp.st?"" he .said, .sternly. "Oo you see nothing? Look hard! Do«>s nothing .strike you?" "1 do not understand you, I see no- thing." "Shut itâ€" .shut the door close." "You know that there ia no one in tho hou.se but my servant, an old woman, deaf and dumb, or you would not have trilled wilh me as you have done," he said. "Shut the door all tho same, for what I've got lo say even the deaf and dumb might have cars and tongue lo hear and Icll. Shut the door I say." "There, " he said, ** are you salisned?" Furlong beckoned to him (o come near- er, and, laying his heavy band upon the shoulder of the oilier, whispered a few words in his (tar. Berlon started, and turned a wile face of amazement and unbelief upon him. "What!" he exclaimed. "I'sliaw! It's impossible!" "Us not only possible, but it's true!" retorted Furlong, wilh grim earnestness. "Sil down and listen lo me." As Berlon lustened drops of sweat camo out upon his forehead, and his face changed from red to while. "If, if this is trueâ€" if 1 can lielieve 't!" "It is gospel!" retorted Furlong, lacon- ically, "and you do believe it. I con see II by your face, man." "I'rovo ilâ€" give me proofs," dropped from the white lips. "Proofs? Yes, conclusive, irrefutable ones. Proofs strong enough for any court of law in tho land." An exclamn Ion dilllcult to describe burst from Berton, nnd he ro.sa and paced the room, his face working, nis hands clasped lightly behind his bnck. Furlong sat himselt on the table and walclied him coolly. .Suddenly he stopped before the side- board, and look out tho brandy decanter. "Oh, that's il!" muttered Furlong lo him.self; then aloud: "Hero, steady! Not too much of that! A gla.ss apiece. You want to keep your head cool, you know, if you're going to work this properly. And you arc, you know." Berlon poured out a couple of glas-sos with a shoky hand, and with an uiieii.sy laugh. "Whenâ€" when will you let mo have tie proofs?" "In three days. Meanwhile keep your mouth shut. Oh, yes, you can do that, I dare say. And now, what do you say lo our bargain?" "You want to know how much " "No," he said, quietly. "I ask nothing, I'm not suro I'll take anything. But, we'll .ste. 11 strikes mc I'm tho honcstei- man of Ihe two, Mr. Berton. I bargained for my liberty and your silence about Ihi.-' litllo escapade of mine. WMl, you shall give me a hundred or two lo lake mc out of Ihe country, when you've done with mo and we'll cry quits." Berton held out his hand, and Furlong look it, but with an utter absence of alacrity or effusiveness. "C)i)eii the door," ho said. Berlon opened it, and wilh a nod and a (luiel "In three daysâ€" say Friday," hia singular specimen of "tho genus" bur- glar went out. (To bo continued. A LEfTER AND A PBOMISE. "You are quite right," .said a very well-known criminal barrlstor recently. "Wi! do got somo very queer letters from clit-nt.s -or would-ho clienlsâ€" some- times. Wlial do you think of this?" And he produced from a pocket-book a rallier weather-worn sheet of nolepa- por, which had evidently been prescr- vixl wilh great caro. "Dore Sir,--I am In prison, nnd Ilie man .sayes I am likely to goo to Ihn peii- n\ serlllu<le. I did not stool llio coweau'd I am purfectly inncrcent. Plea.se do got me Old. I think I can pay you sum day. I did not sto«!l the cowe. Tell the .ludgc thai. And it you got me off free I am willing lo do nil I Can for you. If you do I will Give you tho cowc;.â€" Yours truly. "Bill .Smith." "I didn't act for Uial man," ho ooncliid- od; "ho was a little too iiigoiuious." ANNUAL ItlEETlNG, HELD 15Ui JANUARY, 19M. Report of tho Diroctors. The Directors bog lo submit their \nnual Beport lo tho Shareholders for the year ended .lOlh November, 1005. Tlie Balance at ciedit of Profit and Loss Account, 30lh November, 1004, was $ M,170.3« The profits for the year ended 30th November, 1905, after deducUng charges of management and malting provisions for bad and doubtful debts, are Bl'^'^ Premiums received on new Stock 205,«UJ» S602,870.M From which have been declared: Dividend 5 per cent., payable 1st June, 1905 Dividend 5 per cent., payable 1st Dec. 1905 .$111,770.29 , 119,940.28 Carried lo Reserve Fund from Profits.. $135,319.00 Carried lo Hescirvo Fund from Pramiumon new slock as above 205,421.00 Allowance lo ex-Presidonl authorized by the Shareholders $231,719.57 340,740.00 5,000.00 n..ii"l be foolish nnd run yourself ilnwn when your neighbors are only \i«j ylad lo do it for you. 577,459.5? Balance of Profit and Loss carried forward * 25,410.» The Directors have iileusure in pointing out, thot, after paying the cus^ lomary 10 per cent, dividend, they have been able lo place lo Reserve Fund,oul of profits, ttio substantial sum of $i;i5,000. The year's earnings are, in the opin- ion of the Uirectore, veiy .snlisfaclory indeed, considering that out of the years profits, the maximum estimated b.ss ($90,000), which the Bank has sustained by tlie embezzlement and forgei'ies of T. llillhouse Brown, has been provided for. Tlie Diroctors beg lo report that llie progress of the Bank still continues in a marked degree, and that, while they had thought il prudent lo open during the year a few new branclu\s in Ontario and Manitoba, in recognition of the rapid development of llio counlrv. they have mostly confined themselves to Ihn sti-engthening and building up of the tmsiness al the various points at which oaiccs had already been established, llie; proposed, however, lo ask of the Shnretioldcre. at the Annual Meeting, power to increase the Capital of the Bank by $500,(K)0, in order that the Directors, in cose il become advl.sable, may b« in a position thus lo provide for the future growth of the Bank's businass. The Directors have noted the growinj: tendency, on the part of Banks arid other Corporations, to pay dividends quarterlv. nnd, believing that .such a practice may become more or le.w general, have decided to adopt it, and pn»- pose hereafter lo declare dividends every three months. Hamilton, 18lh December, 1905. WM. GIBSON, President. GENERAL STATEMENT. TO THE PUBLIC: LIABIUTIEIS. Notes of tlie Bank in cii-culalion Deposits bearing interest Deposits not bearing interest Amount reserved for interest due depositors S 2.279,755.0« . .818,033,008.74 .. 3,301,115.72 69,397.04 . 21,464,121.59 50,2G2.09 Balance due lo other Banl:s in Canada Dividend No. GG, payable Isl December, 1905 119,940.28 Fonner Dividends unpaid 79.00 120,019.89 TO THE .SIIAREIIOLDEItS: S23,914,157.8T CapiUI .Stock (average for the year, «,317,190) . . . .• 2.440,740.00 IlesfcTve Fund 2.440,740.00 Amount reserved for Rebate of Interest on Current Bills Discounted G5.000.00 Balance of Profits carried forward 25,410.83 4,971,890.68 ASSETS. Gold and Silver coin $ 470,022.42 Dominion Government Notes 2,150,114.00 Deposit with the Dominion Govornment as security for Note Circulation 125,000.00 Notes of and Cheques on other Banks 805,511.16 Balances due from other Banks in Canada and the Uiuted Stales 1,402,043.80 Balances due from Agents of theBankin Groat Britain 5,308.51 Canadian and BrilLsh Governmonl, Municipal, Railway S28,886,048.7a and other Securities Loiuis al Call, or Short Call, on negotiable Securities . Notes Di.scounted and Advances current Notes Discounted, etc., overdue (estimattii loss provid- ed for) Bank Premi.ses, Office Funiiluro, .Safes,?!? .. â-  r<eal Fstale other than Bank I'rcmise.s), Mortgaces, etc. Other Assets not included under foregoing heads . . . 3.072.942.07 2,161,093.01 810,702.035.57 17,151,131.51 770 CM.n â-  i-- 43.430.72 (i8,{C5.1» Bank of Hnmillon, Hamilton, November, .lOlh, 1905. In moving tlio adoption of Iht; annual report Hon. Mr. Gib.son .said :â€" Geiillemoii, â€" Your Board of Directors beg lo express the pleasure they have 'ii being able lo pres(:nl Ihe report lo Ihe .shareholders. During Ihe whole history of tlie bank, covering a period of tliiity- four years, this year would have been the best and tho most successful that wo havo ever enjoyed but for the unforlu- nate incident in connection wilh our east ond branch in tills city. Had that not occurred our not earnings would have been 19.30 per cent, on tho capital, and notwithstanding Itiat wo had lo make provision for that loss tho not earnings of tlio year are 15.42. Aftjr deducting the loss of $90,000 il- rcady referred to, our earnings for tho year arc cotisiderably great- er ''Hi an llio average for Hie past teti yiMiis. In tho period from 1875 to 1885 Itio rate of earnings was 10.1; 1885 to 1895, 11.03; 1895 lo 1905, 13.98. I invite the attenlion of the shareTiolders to Iho fact that every dollar earned by the bonk, oKcepl what has been carried lo rest, has been poid lo Iho shareholders, and tlial tho misforlune of the post year iii the east end branch is likely to fall on the employes inoi-e heavily than upon Iho .shareholder.^, foi', as you know, though Iho bank has had under considor- ftllon, and it is sUll its intention, to es- tablish a pension system, such has not yot boon begun. During the yeor new agencies have been opened al CoUego and Osslngton slroels, Toronto; Toronto Junction, Car- berry, Kenton nnd Killnrney, Man.; Batlloford, Sa.sk.; and at Femie, B. C. Whilfi we have been somewhat con.serv- atlvo in opening new branches wo have been endeavoring to strengthen tho.so whoro we already havo agencies. It may be said that somo of tho pluco-s wlieio wo have opened branches are small in the mnllor ot iHipulalion, but it must he remembered that Ihey are in growing centres, surrounded by rich U(ainlry, and that the pi-ospocl for increa.sed hu.si- ne.s3 in the future Is very bright. The diroctors havo great faith in the coun- try. I am very glad to notice that Ihe bank is populnr wilh ttio invesligalini; public. Last year tltero were 645 slian;- liolders on our books ami llils year tho luinibcr Is 713, .showing Hint the .slock is pninj; into the hands of Inve.stoi's. At the same lime wo have made !S now friends for the bank. By Iho reporT 1 have just rend yiiii will see that il is proposed lo iiioieai-e the cnpilal slock by .$5(V1,0(Ki. Diintig Uie last six iiionlhs a quarter of a mil- rit)ii (lollais was lalion up nt a premium of I'Ki per tent. The snme cnre will i.c $28,886,048.70 V. : â- . J. TURNBUI.L. General Manager oxorcisod in issuing Ihe new slock only as the business of the bank requires it. Now in regard to tlio incident in tho east end. Much comment and criticism havo been indulged in. I had lieen away from Iho country nl tlio time, but I want to say for tho members of tho board that they acted like men in the best interests of the public nnd of llut bank. The board determined to give the public the result as soon as the re- sull could bo ascertained. Our inspec- tion is as rigid as that of oilier banks. You can do something with the staff if tlie bank when the agent is honest, but when tho agent is not honest, and add.s forgery lo his stealing, the bank is largely at his mercy. You have to trust Ilia pMplo employed by you, and wn have to depend on the fidelity of our agents, and while one man has provr^n false, the 3l>9 other employes ot the bank have not, and wo have conlldenoo 'n Ihein. You may .say that th«« inspeclioit is not rigid enough. I belicvo that yuii may have too much inspeclion. If you lot an agent think tliat he is being apied. tipon ho will probably sit and da iia- thiiig and your business Is bound to suffer. Now, in regard to quarterly dividends I need not say muchâ€" Ihejf cannot como too often. Mr. .folm Proctor .seconded the moUoa, which was oarrioil unanimously. On motion of Mr. Samuel Barker, M.P., .seconded by .fohn A. Bruce, Mio follow- ing motion was imaimously corricd : That llio thanl<s of this mooting b« given to the Pre#idenl and Directors fer their .services during the past half year." Carried and replied to by Hon. Mr. Gib- .son. Mr. W. A. Robinson moved, sccondLsl by Dr. »u.s.soll : "Tluil the thanks of the miviling It» given lo Iho (ieneral Manager, A.ssislant General Manager, Inspectors, Agfinks nnd other olllceis of tho liuiik for thn ofncienl performance of theii- respeclivo duties." This was carried, and responded lo l,y Mr. Turnbiill. Hon. Mr. tiibson movod the adoption of the by-law lo increase Ihe capital slock from $2,500,000 to •'!S3,000,'KIO. Mr. .lohii I'lficbir .seconded llio resolution, 011(1 it was j'airiod un8iiiiniiu..,ly. The rci-iiliiieers repoiicd the following; genllenieii uiiiiniiiidiisly eleited Direi:lo;-» for lOOti: Hon. Wiltiain Gibson, ,Iohn IMiietor, Hon. J. .S. HeiulHe, (iporg.s Huthcrford, Cyrus A. Bilge, ('.. c. Daltoii und ,1. Tunibiill. Al a silbse(\iiciit meeting of Hi,^ Diree- liu-i Ihai. Will. Cilison was rc-elcct'j4 I'lesidont anil Mr. J. Tuinhull Vic.v d^ ^'â- â€¢â€¢â€¢inwwNalw